Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Geography and Environment

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a chain of islands in the Eastern Caribbean, made up of the main island of Saint Vincent and a string of smaller Grenadine islands stretching south toward Grenada. Saint Vincent itself is volcanic and mountainous, dominated by the active volcano La Soufriere, while the Grenadines are smaller, low lying islands known for their beaches and reefs.

The climate across the archipelago is tropical, moderated by trade winds, with a wet season from June through November overlapping with the hurricane season and a drier season the rest of the year. Saint Vincent's mountainous terrain produces significant rainfall variation between its windward and leeward sides, while the smaller Grenadine islands tend to be drier overall.

Environmental priorities include monitoring and managing volcanic hazards from La Soufriere, protecting the coral reefs and marine ecosystems surrounding the Grenadines, and preserving the rainforest covered interior of Saint Vincent. Coastal resilience and sustainable tourism management are also ongoing concerns given the islands' vulnerability to hurricanes and sea level changes.